aavery2

I can cast a reel as well as most, I can easily cast a reel with no brakes on and low spool tension, using only my thumb to control the spool. But why would I want to? I can get the same distance and be equally accurate, with much less possibility of an over run when I adjust the reel in the manner that the manufacturer sugests. Why pay for all the engineering and technology if your not going to use it. I see this as about the same as buying a high end side imager and only running it in flasher mode. The few seconds it takes me to make the proper adjustments to my reels ensure that I get the most out of my equipment both in terms of operation and enjoyment. Guess we skin our cats differently.

Sorry, I can't tell if your serious or not. You don't adjust your spool tension when you change baits?

Your welcome, It would be great to hear if a heavier crankbait made any difference.

Of course there is a biggest hook, just the same as there is a smallest hook. If and tomorrow do not negate what "is" today. You can fish with a butchers hook or a ceiling fan, it does not change what the biggest fishing hook is.

Sounds like a good setup, the Vendetta rods do tend to be just a little under rated in terms of power and action. Sounds like your line was just a little heavy and the lure was very light. I have not had good luck with that balsa crankbait in terms of casting on much of anything other than a spinning reel. I would think you would have good results with your setup if you were throwing a little heavier bait, something like a 5XD or similar. Thanks for sharing

I like your choice of reel, can you tell a little more about the rod, which model it is, or maybe just the length, power and action.

Tell us about your setup and the bait you were using.

IMO your line and reel are good for what you intend to do. Your rod is too short and underpowered to be an effective jig rod for anything but lighter jigs in shallow water.

So your worried about bending out the treble hooks on your crankbaits if using 50lb braided line? I'm thinking this conversation is going to get interesting.

A typical annual cleaning would include complete disassembly, inspection, repair /replacement of any necessary parts. While disassembled all bearings would be properly flushed and checked for serviceability. Once everything is clean and determined to be serviceable you would properly oil and grease all parts as necessary and reassemble.

Annually is a good practice if your reel is used regularly. If it is exposed to harsher elements or used quite heavily then more often may be appropriate.

If you can give a little more detail about this, I may be able to help you.

Catt, your going to have to help me understand the snooty attitude and sarcasm in an otherwise good thread. While I don't doubt your association with Mr. Larew, the documented facts don't seem to support your story and Jim Zeiner is as knowledgeable about these things as most. I guess we will have to disagree on this one. Gene Larew, a retired engineer, set out to make a plastisol fishing lure that would have a salty taste for a prolonged period in water, as compared with the salty baits then known.   It is explained in the Larew patent that a striking fish will retain a salty-tasting lure for a longer time, thereby improving the fisherman's chance to set the hook.Mr. Larew's attempts to develop and manufacture a plastic salty lure encountered great skepticism within the fishing lure trade.   Although he had made samples by hand he was rebuffed by manufacturers of plastic lures, who expressed strong doubts about the feasibility of manufacturing such a device, as well as doubts about its properties if it could be made.   Two such manufacturers testified on Larew's behalf in response to Arkie Lures' motion for summary judgment.   They explained that salt is an undesirable additive for a plastic lure because it tends to roughen the smooth texture of the surface of the lure;  that the presence of salt reduces the tensile strength of the plastic, rendering the lure susceptible to tearing and interfering with its flexibility;  and that it is unsafe to mix chemicals such as salt with plastic, because such mixing can cause violent explosions.Upon extreme persistence by Mr. Larew the product was eventually produced.   The first commercial salt-impregnated plastic lure was called the “Gene Larew Salty Frog.” It was an immediate commercial success.   Arkie Lures copied the Larew lure and, declining Mr. Larew's offer of a license, brought this declaratory judgment action.   The district court granted Arkie Lures' motion for summary judgment of invalidity, concluding that Larew's invention was “not sufficiently different” from the prior art as to render it nonobvious. - See more at: http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-federal-circuit/1188371.html#sthash.Wn4O4DSi.dpuf

Not doubting what your saying, but hoping to maybe gain some knowledge. What do you feel it is about balancing the tabs that makes it better?

Thanks for finding the actual documentation, it is amazing what you can find on the internet.

Catt, my information comes from Jim Zeiner of Zeiners Bass Shop in Wichita KS. Jim and his family have been in business since 1953 or 61 years. The documentation recorded in the court case also seems to confirm that that Salty Frog was the first. Do you have some additional information that has been overlooked?

So you say you have seen many times where they see the braid but can't the Fluorocarbon. Why do you think that is?

When I researched this bait a few years back, I was able to find the patent for it, it contains the name and address of the man that applied for patent. I will provide the link to the patent and maybe someone can find another example of the bait or provide some other information. http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4011681.pdf

Ok, so this is one that a friend from the Low Country, that's South Carolina if you don't already know sent me a picture of, he asked if anyone knew who the manufacturer was. I had some good leads on it, but it was never positively identified, so this may be a real challenge. Maybe someone else has one and will know. My friend thought that it was called a springerbait.

I will see if I can dig up some of my old baits and try another 1. It is fun to look back at some of the old baits and their craftsmanship.

Sling shot rig, a few years back I saw this on a website, I thought to myself now that might work. I guess people have caught fish using it, I am just not one of them.

I am not sure, I was led to believe that the bait pre dates the salt craw, which has been around for a long time.

It is Gene Larew, the bait is called a Salt Frog, from what I am told it was one of the first salt infused baits on the market. There was actually a patent rights law suit between Larew and Arkie baits where Larew claimed that Arkie had violated his patent with another salt infused bait.

Not Creme